Episode 27 of Impulse Model Entrepreneur Stories brings to light the inspiring story of Zodinliana Hmar, an entrepreneur who, along with his wife Susan Ralte, is preserving Mizo culture through handloom textiles. This episode, directed by documentary filmmaker Lewis Levent Özcan, explores how the couple has turned their love for Mizo heritage into a thriving business that supports local weavers.
Zodinliana and Susan, founders of Mizo Handloom, specialise in creating vibrant, handwoven textiles that reflect the cultural motifs of the Mizo people, the native inhabitants of Mizoram. Their product range includes cushion covers, runners, bags, and lamb shoes, all infused with traditional Mizo designs. What sets them apart is their commitment to using original, pre-colonial, and post-colonial Mizo motifs in their work, bringing a piece of Aizawl’s rich history to every creation.
Susan, a senior lecturer and founding teacher at the Women’s Polytechnic Aizawl in the government technology department, began her journey as a handloom entrepreneur as a hobby. Over time, her passion for preserving Mizo traditions grew, and she decided to transform her craft into a full-fledged business. Her initial vision was to work with women weavers from their homes. Susan provided them with the necessary yarn, collected the finished products, and built a network of artisans contributing to the Mizo Handloom brand.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for the business, forcing Susan and her team to close down for two months. During this period, they pivoted to producing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for local hospitals using available materials in Aizawl, showcasing their adaptability in a time of crisis.
The documentary, supported by Meta India, is part of Impulse Empower, a series produced by Impulse NGO Network in collaboration with Cod Nerc Ngo. It highlights the efforts of local entrepreneurs who are driving economic growth in the North East region of India. Filmmaker Lewis Levent Özcan travelled across the eight northeastern states and North Bengal, capturing stories of system change, resilience, and innovation. These businesses are essential for creating local jobs and preventing unsafe migration, aligning with the mission of Impulse NGO Network.
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The documentary celebrates Zodinliana Hmar and Susan Ralte’s entrepreneurship and demonstrates how Mizo Handloom is helping preserve cultural identity while providing sustainable livelihoods to local artisans.
This episode adds to the broader narrative of how traditional crafts can be transformed into modern businesses that contribute to the region’s socio-economic development.
Also read | Creativity meets sustainability: Praweshika Pradhan’s Handcrafted Tools